Community Voices: Nurturing the roots of 'Peace by Piece'

Friday

May 16, 2014 at 4:46 PM

United Neighbors' sixth annual Peace by Piece Summit took place May 9. This year's event offered an opportunity to engage youth in a discussion of how violence impacts them and to talk openly about how they are dealing with the influence of violence in their lives. Youth reflected on their experiences with violence, gang involvement, bullying and substance abuse.

Wendy Garf-LippUntied Neighbors of Fall River

United Neighbors’ sixth annual Peace by Piece Summit took place May 9. This year’s event offered an opportunity to engage youth in a discussion of how violence impacts them and to talk openly about how they are dealing with the influence of violence in their lives. Youth reflected on their experiences with violence, gang involvement, bullying and substance abuse.

Discussion was facilitated by leaders of The Foundation Movement, a Boston-based anti-violence group led by Banjineh “Op” Browne and Ernesto “Eroc” Arroyo. The program began with a video that detailed the story of Janet Connors, whose 19-year-old son Jo-el was murdered during a home invasion in 2001. She now devotes her life to teaching “restorative justice,” a philosophy that encourages forgiveness when wrongdoers accept accountability. It was a wonderful day of peace and harmony for our most vulnerable youth. I left the summit basking in the good feelings of peaceful endeavors, conversations and attitudes. I heard participants and staff say that the summit was transformative, the day almost spiritual and the results are bound to contribute to the anti-violence work United Neighbors and our partners do in Fall River.

But alas, the euphoria diminishes quickly. A perusal of The Herald News last Saturday morning reminded me that one yearly Peace Summit does not stop violence and crime within the city. All the “kumbaya” feelings from Peace by Piece fly right out the window when reality is delivered to your door daily. The paper heralded three stories on the day after the summit – “woman robbed at gunpoint,” “man faces child rape charges,” “burglary suspect flees.” I turned to my husband Michael and said, “Why do I go through all the planning, expense, aggravation and details if the message of peace doesn’t last more than a day or two? Why do we keep having Peace by Piece summits if they do not bring forth immediate changes in our community?” I moaned and groaned to Michael for a few minutes questioning why we put all our efforts into the Peace by Piece Summit. Michael looked at me and said one word, “Bamboo.”

“Bamboo?” I asked?

“Bamboo.” He said.

“Bamboo,” I queried again. “You mean that very expensive bamboo that you planted five years ago which never grew more than an inch?”

Michael took my hand and took me out to the end of the property and I was shocked to see a row of bamboo standing seven feet tall. I was astounded! I asked, “How was it possible that for four years the bamboo was an inch tall and this year it towers over me?”

Michael explained, “During the first year, the tiny plant is watered and fertilized and nothing happens. It is watered and fertilized for another whole year and another and another and still nothing happens. Then in the fifth year it shoots up to the sky. In six weeks the bamboo grows 90 feet. So how long does it take for the bamboo to grow so high?”

“Six weeks.” I said

Michael answered, “That’s incorrect. If I had stopped watering the plant at any point during those five years the bamboo would have died.”

“So,” I asked, “what was going on during all those years?”

He replied, “Underneath the ground, an extensive network of roots was developing to support the bamboo’s sudden growth. Without the first four years of root development the bamboo would never be able to attain its lofty height.”

So what have I learned? Growth takes patience and perseverance. Every drop of water makes a difference, every step you take makes an impact. Every Peace Summit we sponsor lays down roots. You may not see the change right away, but growth is happening. With commitment and drive to attain your goals and the support of community collaboration we can break through and reach great heights!